Concessions open at Ormond's Romano Park

Italian ice drinks, hot dogs, nachos and breakfast foods as well as sundries like sunscreen and cooling ties will be available.

CHRIS GRAHAMSTAFF WRITER

ORMOND BEACH — After living in New Jersey for 18 years, Roy Savoca and his wife, Kathy, always dreamed of being able to serve up tasty fare on a boardwalk. For now, they're content being an addition to Ormond Beach's new $8 million park. "It's not what we had planned, but I'll take it," Savoca said Wednesday as he loaded supplies into the concession area at Andy Romano Park. Savoca, who operates a Rita's Ice in Daytona Beach, will start serving up treats Thursday out of the main building at the park. Featured will be his franchise's Italian ice drink, which is a mix between a Slurpee and shaved ice. "We're going to be called Ormond Beach Concessions because we'll have much more than that," he said. Also planned for the location will be items like hot dogs and nachos as well as breakfast foods, Savoca said. The concession will have sundries like sunscreen and cooling ties, which is somewhat like a bandana people can wrap around their necks to cool down. The hours for the concession stand will be flexible, Savoca said, but for now the location will open around 10 a.m. during the summer. "But if people are there, we'll be there," he said. Officials are expecting the operation to be successful as the park has been packed with families especially on the weekends. According to a proposal presented to the city earlier this year, Savoca expected up to 26,000 transactions annually. The city will receive 12 percent of sales between $100,001 to $175,000. Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said the contract with Savoca is for one year and will be renewed on a yearly basis. Mayor Ed Kelley, who was out of town, said people have been asking the city when the concession stand would open. "When I get back," he said, "I'll be in line to get some Italian ice."

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